Public Health and International Economic Law: Alcohol Labeling, Obesity Prevention Laws and Beyond

Investor-state dispute settlement cases have significant public policy implications, including in the areas of health, environmental protection, economic development and taxation.

This lunch series aims to examine the relationship between international investment law cases and sustainable development goals and practices.

On Monday, July 2, 2018, we hosted a lunch discussion examining whether various government measures to protect public health may run counter to international trade and investment agreements. We invited national and international policy-makers, academics and students to explore and discuss the following questions:

• What would be the legal bases for these challenges?
• What do these rules mean for governments' policy space?
• How will this affect progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals?

Andrew Mitchell, Professor at Melbourne Law School, led the debate and discussion on the impact of international economic law on public health.